Goodfellows: After years at Boys Ranch teen finds family in staff

Boys Ranch resident adopted by assistant, foreman

Texas Boys Ranch is one of this year’s recipients of the Avalanche-Journal’s Goodfellows campaign, which accepts donations from readers to benefit charitable organizations.

Malachi Goen lived at the Boys Ranch from age 9 until he was adopted last year by Jenny and Brady Goen, who work for the organization. Jenny is assistant to the executive director, and Brady is the ranch foreman.

Malachi, now 17, shares his story:

■ Lessons learned: The Boys Ranch helped Malachi by showing him someone loves him. The most important lesson he learned was “knowing that when I do wrong, there’s going to be consequences, but also, I’m going to be loved for doing wrong. They’re always going to direct me in the path of doing right.”

■ Getting adopted: After knowing the Goens for so long, Malachi wasn’t nervous about being adopted by them. “Last year, maybe in July, when they asked me if I wanted to be adopted by them, the first thing that came to my mind was, ‘I’ve called Brady “Dad” since I first came to the Boys Ranch.’ I think it was a good fit for me and a good fit for them.”

■ Looking toward the future: Malachi has already been accepted to a handful of colleges, and he’s looking for the right one. He’s interested in joining a rodeo team and becoming a Texas Ranger. “I always want to see people in my situation have justice, to have somebody there for them and let (them) know that.”